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Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Pasadena, CA


Top addiction and substance use disorder therapists and psychiatrists in Pasadena, CA
Pasadena residents dealing with substance dependence, nicotine addiction, or compulsive behaviors can find compassionate, solution-oriented providers on Headway. Our network specializes in withdrawal management, cravings support, and evidence-based modalities to help you achieve lasting recovery and stability.
I have found a calling that allows me to bring my full self – head, heart, and soul – to my work.
I found this calling after a fulfilling career in social services. In addition to working as a teacher, program manager, policy advocate, and peer counselor, I have also married, raised a family, coached youth sports, and pursued mindful self-care, creativity, and personal growth.
I earned my Bachelor’s in English from Harvard and my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The Wright Institute.
My passion is for helping others get unstuck and flourish! The focus of my practice is geared toward helping you develop affirming responses and positive interpretations of what has happened in your life. I will help you have agency and integrity in the midst of a life transition or challenge that has you feeling stuck or out of ways to help yourself.
I have been a psychologist for 44 years and worn many hats: schools, private practice, clinics and agencies. Experience counts for a lot! I am dedicated to my patients reducing their suffering.
I bring 14 + years of experience providing thrrapy in both private and clinical settings. My work is grounded in a client centered strengths-based approach, rooted in unconditional, positive regard and a commitment to providing a safe, non-judgmental space where client can openly share their stories.
I identify as neurodivergent and have personally and professionally navigated ADHD. This experience allows me to bring both clinical knowledge lived understanding to my work, helping clients recognize their strengths, develop effective strategies, and move toward meaningful growth and stability.
Georgia Barnes, MSN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC
I am a dual board-certified Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with more than 25 years of clinical experience and board certifications as both a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I provide compassionate, evidence-based mental health care for adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, mood disorders, and other psychiatric conditions through personalized medication management and supportive psychotherapy.
I believe meaningful mental health care begins with trust, respect, and collaboration. My approach is patient-centered, recognizing that every individual's experiences, strengths, and goals are unique. I work closely with each client to develop a personalized treatment plan that promotes emotional wellness, resilience, and long-term recovery.
My priority is to create a safe, welcoming, and nonjudgmental environment where you feel heard, valued, and empowered to participate in your care. Together, we focus not only on reducing symptoms but also on building healthy coping strategies, restoring balance, and improving overall quality of life. Whether you're facing anxiety, depression, trauma, mood disorders, ADHD, or co-occurring substance use concerns, I am committed to providing thoughtful, evidence-based care that supports your journey toward lasting wellness.
I am a licensed clinician specializing in trauma recovery. I work with adolescents and adults who are experiencing emotional and difficult experiences. My goal is to provide a supportive space where clients can begin to heal.
With over 15 years of experience, I have helped countless individuals navigate the challenges they face and find peace within themselves. Together, we can work towards culminating a healthier and more fulfilling future.
When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my dogs, hiking with friends, cooking, and making flower arrangements. I also enjoy spending time doing artsy activities or attending local events.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over twenty years experience. I have a Master's Degree in Social Work with focus on Children and Families, a Master's Degree in Sociology with a Certificate in Criminology and Corrections, and a PhD in Social Work (all but dissertation) with focus on trauma, sexual abuse and assault, and domestic violence. I was the Director of a private, non-profit Foster Care and Adoption Agency, I worked in a women's shelter for domestic violence and sexual assault. I worked in a Level 4 men's prison, and I worked as a Supervisor for mental health therapists serving school systems. I have always had a private practice as well. I have worked in teletherapy for approximately 8 years.
My name is Marissa Ruiz and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am licensed in California with nearly 5 years of professional work experience as a therapist and over 20 years experience in the social work field. Some of my other titles include mother, wife, ex-wife, sister, daughter, niece, grandmother and friend. Sharing these titles are important to me because they represent relationships my clients have which helps to improve the rapport. I survived my obstacles in my life with the help of a therapist and hope to help you through yours.
I commit to supporting your growth whilst challenging your outdated defense mechanisms. Old patterns got you this far, and my Gestalt training allows me to see your obstacles as creative adjustments. I will empower you to choose, consciously, what works and what works no longer.
Good therapy is enlivening. It gets you in touch with your authentic feelings, needs, and desires. And it helps you to confront and disentangle yourself from the painful experiences of your past. This allows you to seek out what you truly want in life and in your relationships. My passion as a therapist is helping you heal the symptoms, emotional patterns, and traumas that get in the way of this pursuit—anxiety, grief & loss, ocd, depression, relationship struggles, codependency. Our work will help you to understand what you’re going through, process the experiences that are stuck, and empower you to become more fully who you are.
You're smart, self-aware, and honestly pretty good at explaining exactly why you're stuck. You just can't seem to get unstuck. The to-do list exists. The plan sort of exists. And yet — the avoidance, the overthinking, the decision that keeps not getting made. Sound familiar? Anxiety, perfectionism, and big life transitions have a way of quietly running the show. Therapy isn't about fixing what's wrong with you — because nothing is. It's about understanding what's underneath, building some actual tools, and figuring out what you want. Not what everyone else thinks you should.
About our therapists who can help with addiction and substance use located within 20 miles of Pasadena, CA



- 100%Substance use / addiction
- 95%Anxiety
- 95%Relationship issues
- 93%Depression
- 90%PTSD

- 100%Aetna
- 76%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 73%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 54%Cigna
- 51%Providence Health Plan

- 98%English
- 15%Spanish
- 10%Armenian
- 5%Russian
- 2%Arabic

- 98%In-person or online
- 2%In-person only

- 51%Man
- 46%Woman
- 2%Non-binary

- 41%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 20%Clinical Psychologist
- 20%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 10%Nurse Practitioner
- 7%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

- 100%Individual therapy
- 41%Family therapy
- 27%Couples therapy
- 17%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right addiction counselor for you
Headway makes it easier to find support for overcoming addiction — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Addiction Therapist in Pasadena
Searching for addiction therapists in Pasadena starts with finding someone whose experience matches the type of support you want. Addiction care can include support for alcohol use, substance use, nicotine dependence, gambling, compulsive behaviors, and related concerns like anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship stress. As you compare therapists, look for listed specialties and approaches that fit your needs, such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use, harm reduction, or coordination with a prescriber when medication management may be part of your care team.
Pasadena has a smaller local therapy market than nearby Los Angeles, so virtual appointments can expand your options while still keeping care accessible from home. You may want an in-person therapist near Old Pasadena, Playhouse Village, South Lake, or another nearby area, or you may prefer virtual sessions that fit around work, school, or caregiving schedules. Recovery can change over time, so it helps to look for a therapist who describes a non-judgmental style and experience with harm reduction, relapse prevention, or long-term support. Reading therapist bios can help you compare approach, communication style, availability, and whether a free phone consultation is offered before you book.
Therapy in Pasadena can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to lower out-of-pocket session costs and make ongoing care easier to plan for. Headway helps you find addiction therapists, check your coverage and estimated costs for your specific plan before booking, and book directly with therapists who are accepting new patients. You can browse therapists, review bios, and choose a time when you’re ready.
If you or someone you know is experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms — especially from alcohol or benzodiazepines — talk to a medical provider or seek emergency care before starting outpatient therapy. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or substance use and is in a crisis, immediately reach out to:
* 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 * SAMHSA National Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (4357), free, confidential, 24/7 * Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741
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